Standup Pouch With Multiple Plies

ABSTRACT

The standup pouch includes a front a back and a gusseted region. The front and back are joined together at a the opposing side edges by way of opposing side seals. The gusseted region includes a first gusset panel and a second gusset panel that are coupled together at an inner end at a gusset fold and extending outwardly to of the first and second lower folds. The gusseted region including a first gusset seal area joining the first gusset panel to the front, and a second gusset seal area joining the second gusset panel to the back. The first and second gusset seal areas are coupled together and to the opposing side seals so as to form a substantially fluid tight cavity therebetween. The standup pouch formed from a first ply and a second ply which are joined together at the side seals and the gusset seals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The invention relates in general to flexible packaging, and moreparticularly, to a standup pouch which includes multiple plies. Such astandup pouch is configured for the storage and dispensing of variousmaterials including foodstuffs and supplements, including materials inpowder or granulated form. Of course, the standup pouch is not limitedto such a use, and may be used with other materials, such as chemicals,fertilizers and the like.

2. Background Art

The use of flexible packaging is known in the art. Flexible packagingoften comprises a film of material that is formed into a substantiallyfluid tight configuration. In some configurations, a gusset or the likemay be provided. In such a case, the flexible packaging may take theform of a standup pouch. That is, the bag can stand on an edge thereof.

Such pouches are utilized for the storage and dispensing of variousdifferent materials. Among other uses, such pouches are often utilizedfor foodstuffs and supplements, and more particularly, for supplementsin the form of powders that are added to fluids or other materials priorto consumption.

Problematically, such pouches are often relatively heavy and cumbersome.As a result, the pouches are damaged during shipment, transport andstorage on store shelves and the like. In addition, such pouches areoften damaged during use, as they typically include a substantial amountof servings (and, thus, are handled many times before being fullyemptied).

It would be advantageous if such pouches were formed with increaseddurability which allows for the use thereof in applications fraught withcircumstances that limit the life of such pouches.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed, in one aspect, to a standup pouch. Thestandup pouch includesa front a back and a gusseted region. The fronthas a top edge, a first lower fold and opposing side edges. The back hasa top edge and a second lower fold and opposing side edges. The frontand back are joined together at a the opposing side edges by way ofopposing side seals. The gusseted region includes a first gusset paneland a second gusset panel. The gusset panels are coupled together at aninner end at a gusset fold and extending outwardly to a respective oneof the first and second lower folds. The gusseted region including afirst gusset seal area joining the first gusset panel to the front, anda second gusset seal area joining the second gusset panel to the back.The first and second gusset seal areas being coupled together and to theopposing side seals so as to form a substantially fluid tight cavitytherebetween. The standup pouch formed from a first ply and a second plywhich are joined together at the side seals and the gusset seals.

In some configurations, the first ply comprises a multilayer laminateincluding an outer layer, a central layer and an inner layer. The layersare joined by way of an adhesive layer between the outer layer and thecentral layer and between the central layer and the inner layer.

In some configurations, the outer layer comprises a Matte OPP and thecentral layer comprises a MET PET layer.

In some configurations, the inner layer comprises PE. The second ply mayalso comprise PE.

In some configurations, the inner layer comprises a multilayercoextrusion.

In some configurations, the multilayer extrusion comprises a centrallayer of nylon having a PE layer on either side thereof.

In some configurations, the multilayer extrusion further includes a tielayer between the central layer and the PE layer on either side of thecentral layer.

In some configurations, the outer layer comprises PET and the centrallayer comprise a cavitated OPP.

In some configurations, the inner layer comprises a PE.

In some configurations, the inner layer comprises a multilayercoextrusion.

In some configurations, the multilayer extrusion comprises a centrallayer of nylon having a PE layer on either side thereof.

In some configurations, the multilayer extrusion further includes a tielayer between the central layer and the PE layer on either side of thecentral layer.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the disclosure is directed to astandup pouch. The standup pouch comprises a front, a back, a gussetedregion and a zipper element assembly. The front has a top edge, a firstlower fold and opposing side edges. The back has a top edge, a secondlower fold and opposing side edges. The front and back are joinedtogether at a the opposing side edges by way of opposing side seals. Thegusseted region includes a first gusset panel and a second gusset panel.The gusset panels are coupled together at an inner end at a gusset foldand extending outwardly to a respect one of the first and second lowerfolds. The gusseted region includes a first gusset seal area joining thefirst gusset panel to the front, and a second gusset seal area joiningthe second gusset panel to the back. The first and second gusset sealareas are coupled together and to the opposing side seals so as to forma substantially fluid tight cavity therebetween. The zipper elementassembly is spaced apart from the top edge and includes a first zipperelement assembly on an inside surface of the front and a second zipperelement assembly on an inside surface of the back. The zipper element isconfigured to selectively facilitate access to the cavity. The standuppouch is formed from a first ply and a second ply which are joinedtogether at the side seals, the gusset seals and the zipper elementassembly.

In some configurations, a seal extends across the top edge so as to sealthe front to the back proximate the top edge.

In some such configurations, the first gusseted area is coupled to thesecond gusseted area at each side edge, in a position spaced apart fromthe gusset fold and the first and second lower folds.

In some configurations, at least one rip indent is positioned at one ofthe opposing side edges between the zipper element assembly and the topedge. Of course, other methods of providing for the removal of thisportion, such as scoring, or perforating is likewise contemplated.

In some configurations, the first ply comprises a multilayer laminateincluding an outer layer, a central layer and an inner layer. The layersare joined by way of an adhesive layer between the outer layer and thecentral layer and between the central layer and the inner layer.

In some configurations, the outer layer comprises a Matte OPP and thecentral layer comprises a MET PET layer, and the inner layer comprisesone of a PE and a multilayer extrusion.

In some configurations, the multilayer extrusion comprises a centrallayer of nylon having a PE layer on either side thereof.

In some configurations, the second ply comprises PE.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a front plan view of a standup pouch of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a back plan view of a standup pouch of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the standup pouch ofthe present disclosure, taken generally about lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a top plan view of the blank from which thestandup pouch can be formed, showing, in particular, the outer side facethereof;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a top plan view of the blank from which thestandup pouch can be formed, showing, in particular, the inner side facethereof;

FIGS. 6 a through 6 c of the drawings are partial perspective views ofthe standup pouch of the present disclosure, showing, in particular,exemplary configurations of the gusset seals; and

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the first and secondplies of material which form the multiple ply film from which thestandup pouch is formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail aspecific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to belimited to the embodiment illustrated

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3,the standup pouch of the present disclosure is shown generally at 10.The standup pouch 10 includes front 60, back 62 and gusset region 64.The structure of the foregoing will be described in greater detailbelow. The standup pouch of the present disclosure is particularlyuseful for the storage and dispensing of various powders and granulatedmaterial, including but not limited to foodstuffs and supplements. Oneparticular example comprises the storage and dispensing of proteinpowders in supplement form. Of course, the foregoing is merelyexemplary, and the disclosure is not limited to any particular type ofmaterial that is to be stored within the standup pouch of the presentdisclosure. It will be understood that the standup pouch of the presentdisclosure is not limited to any particular dimension for any panel, anyside or any gusset. Indeed, any number of different dimensions arecontemplated.

The standup pouch 10 is formed from a blank 12 which is shown in FIGS. 4and 5. The blank is defined by a plurality of edges and opposing sidefaces. In particular, the blank includes a two ply material (theconstruction of which will be described below in greater detail), whichdefines outer side face 14 and inner side face 16. The blank, it will beunderstood with greater specificity below, is a flexible polymer basedmaterial. The blank 12 is defined by a plurality of edges, namely, firstside edge 20, second side edge 21, first top edge 22, and second topedge 23. In the embodiment shown, the first side edge and the secondside edge are parallel to each other with the first and second top edgesbeing parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the side edges. Inturn, the edges define a substantially rectangular blank. Of course,other configurations are likewise contemplated, and the configuration isexemplary solely.

A plurality of folds are disposed along the blank, including, firstlower fold 26, second lower fold 27 and gusset fold 28. In theconfiguration shown, the gusset fold 28 is generally positioned at themid-point between the first top edge 22 and the second top edge 23, andgenerally parallel to each one. The first lower fold 26 and the secondlower fold 27 are spaced apart, generally equally on either side of thegusset fold 28. In the configuration shown, the first and second lowerfolds 26, 27 are parallel to the gusset fold and spaced apart therefroma distance that is substantially less than the distance between therespective lower fold and the respective top edge of the blank. Forexample, whereas the spacing between the gusset fold and a lower foldmay be on the order of 60 mm, the spacing between the respective topedge and the lower fold may be on the order of 420 mm. Thus, the lowerfold is substantially closer to the gusset fold than to the respectivetop edge.

A plurality of seals are defined about the first and second lower folds.These form the gusseted portion during assembly when the seals areformed. The seals include first side gusset outer seal area 30 and firstside gusset inner seal area 31. The two first side gusset seal areas aregenerally symmetrical structures that are mirror images of each otherabout the first lower fold 26. In the configuration shown, each of thefirst side gusset seal areas combine to form an hourglass shape which issymmetrical about a midpoint between the first and second side edges 20,21. In other configurations, the first side gusset seal areas maycomprise a plurality of discrete seal areas that are discontinuous, thatis, a portion of the first lower fold may be free of any seal structure.The particular configuration of the seals can be varied. It will beunderstood that the configuration of the seals imparts differentstrength characteristics to the overall pouch, and also provides for adifferent standup configuration, among other differences. Examples ofdifferent configurations of the gusset seals is shown in FIGS. 6 athrough 6 c. It will be understood that these are exemplary, and notintended to be limiting.

A substantially identical configuration of gusset seals are formed aboutthe second lower fold 27. These seal areas comprise second side gussetouter seal area 32 and second side gusset inner seal area 33. The twogusset seal areas are mirror images of each other about the second lowerfold 27. The shape of the second side gusset seal areas is substantiallyidentical to the first side gusset seal areas in the configurationshown. Of course, these may be modified so as not to be substantiallyidentical. Additionally, certain voids, such as voids may be present inthe seal structures, that is areas that are configured to not be sealedtogether.

Spaced apart from the first top edge 22 is a first zipper elementassembly 36, and spaced apart from the second top edge 23 is a secondzipper element assembly 37. The two zipper elements cooperate to form aresealable sealing assembly which, when the bag is formed, canselectively seal the contents of the standup pouch. The zipper elementsare spaced apart from the respective top edge a predetermined distancesuch that a grasping region and a sealing region exists between thezipper element and the respective top edge. A rip indent, such as firstrip indent 50 a may be defined along the first side edge 20. Other ripindents 50 b, 52 a, 52 b, can be dispersed about the blank in a similarposition along the side edges between the respective zipper element andthe respective top edge. It will be understood that when the bag isformed, the user can rip the top portion of the bag by initiating therip at the rip indent, to eventually create an opening at the top of thepouch and to gain access to the zipper element assembly. Of course,other methods of providing for the removal of this portion, such asscoring, or perforating is likewise contemplated. It will be understandthat the zipper elements are substantially parallel to the top edges andgenerally perpendicular to the first and second side edges. It islikewise contemplated that the dipper elements may be eliminated fromcertain configurations.

The various folds, edges and elements define several regions of theblank. In particular, a first handle portion 40, a front panel portion42, a first gusset panel 43, a second gusset panel 44, a back panel 46and a second handle portion 47. The first handle portion is bound by thefirst top edge 22 and the first zipper element assembly 36 as well as bythe first and second side edges 20, 21, to, in turn, define a generallyrectangular configuration. The front panel portion 42 is defined by thefirst zipper element at one end and the first lower fold at the otherend, and the side edges on either side thereof. The first gusset panel43 is defined by the first lower fold 26 and the gusset fold 28, as wellas by the side edges on either side thereof. The second gusset panel 44is defined by the gusset fold 28 and the second lower fold 27, as wellas by the side edges. The back panel 46 is defined by the second lowerfold 27 and the second zipper element assembly 37 as well as by the sideedges. The second handle portion is defined by the second top edge 23and the second zipper element assembly 37 and by the side edges.

In the configuration shown, there are symmetries about the blank. Thatis, the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel are substantiallymirror images of each other about the gusset fold 28. Similarly, thefront panel and the back panel are substantially mirror images of eachother about the gusset fold 28. The first and second handle portions aresubstantially mirror images of each other about the gusset fold 28. Itwill further be understood that the rip indents 50 a, 52 a areconfigured to match upon formation of the pouch, as are rip indents 50b, 52 b.

In addition, a tabbed portion can be removed from each of the first sidegusset inner seal area 31 and the second side gusset inner seal area 33along both the first side edge 20 and the second side edge 21 to formslots 53 a, 53 b and 54 a, 54 b. Additionally, the inner ply can beremoved from an additional tabbed portions (leaving only the outer ply),to form slot regions 55 a, 55 b and 56 a, 56 b. It will be explainedbelow that these slot regions allow for the inner surface of the firstply in the first side gusset outer seal area to be sealed to the secondside gusset outer seal area.

The blank is shown in FIG. 4 from the outer side face (which is theoutside of the first ply) and in FIG. 5 from the inner side face (whichis the inside of the second ply). Each ply is substantially identical inconfiguration, however, in certain areas, the portions of either ply maybe missing. Additionally, there may be some differences in dimensionbetween each ply.

The formed bag is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 as comprising the front 60,the back 62 and the gusset region 64. More particularly, the bag isfolded in a gusseted manner such that the first lower fold 26 and thesecond lower fold 27 form the bottom of the standup pouch and the firstand second top edges 22, 23 form the top end of the standup pouch. Thefirst side edge is sealed to itself to form one side of the formed bag.A first gusset seal 70 is formed about the first side gusset seal area,and mated with the side seals 66, 68. Similarly, the second gusset seal72 is formed about the second side gusset seal area, and mated with theside seals 66, 68. It will be understood that the gusset seals and theside seals meet at a region proximate to either side edge. Such aconfiguration defines a substantially fluid tight cavity therebetween.

Additionally, a seal extends across the top edges between the sideedges. Such a top seal may be of varying thickness between the top edgeand the zipper element assembly. It will be understood that openings, orhandle regions may be extended through such a seal region, if desired.

The formed gussets are joined together at each of the slots 53 a, 53 band 54 a, 54 b. Thus, while the gusset allows for the spreading of thefirst lower fold 26 relative to the second lower fold 27, the joiningabout the foregoing slots, provides a controlled relative movement ofthe gussets relative to each other.

With reference to FIG. 7, the standup pouch of the present disclosure isformed from a multiple ply configuration comprising a first ply 100 andthe second ply 102. The first ply comprises a plural of layers that arelaminated (through adhesive layers and/or heat) to each other. Inparticular, the first ply comprises an outer layer 110, a print layer112, an adhesive layer 114, a central layer 116, a second adhesive layer118 and an inner layer 120. The adhesive layer 114 and the secondadhesive layer 118 couple the outer layer (and the print layer which isapplied thereto), the central layer and the inner layer to each other.The outer layer 110 comprises a Matte OPP or a PET material. The centrallayer 116 comprises a MET PET or a cavitated OPP material. The innerlayer comprises a PE material or a coextruded multilayer film.

In the configuration shown, the inner layer comprises a coextrudedmultilayer film that includes five separate layers, a first layer 130, asecond layer 132, a third layer 134, a fourth layer 136 and a fifthlayer 138. In the configuration shown, the second and fourth layerscomprise a tie layer. The first layer 130 and the fifth layer 138 eachcomprise a PE layer. The third layer comprises a nylon layer. While sucha configuration has shown improved durability, especially through droptesting, it is understood that this multilayer film may be replaced witha single or multilayer film comprising PE.

Of course, these formulations of the different layers are exemplary, andutilized in the configuration shown. It will be understood thatvariations may be contemplated with the formulations that are utilizedin the different layers. It will also be understood that the blank andeach ply may be formed from a number of different films that are coupledtogether in an end to end fashion or a side to side fashion. That is,the front and the back may be formed from different films, and thesefilms may be different than the films from which the gusset is formed.In addition, the gusset may be formed from a plurality of films, as mayeach of the back and front. The films may be similar or distinct. Inaddition, it will be understood that the same coupling of differentfilms may be present with both the first ply and the second ply. It willalso be understood that each panel may be formed from multiple differentfilms that are coupled together.

In the configuration shown, the first ply and the second ply are coupledtogether (that is, welded together through different means, RF, heat,sonic, etc.) along the various seals, and along the zipper elementassembly.

It has been found that a single ply standup pouch of varyingconstruction, including the construction of the first ply has difficultmaintaining integrity when drop tests are executed from a height of 0.5meters. As such, the pouch is susceptible to damage (i.e., leaking,contamination, etc.) during shipping, displaying, or during use by auser. It has been found that the two ply structure of the presentdisclosure, is capable of easily surviving drop tests at the height of0.5 meters. It has been additionally found that the two ply structure ofthe present disclosure is capable of surviving drops from two times thatheight (or 1.0 meter), and for drops up to 2.5 meters and, depending onthe configuration, therebeyond. As a result, the standup pouch of thepresent disclosure has a greatly increased ability to survive without aloss of integrity, during shipping, display and use.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A standup pouch comprising: a front having a topedge, a first lower fold and opposing side edges, a back having a topedge, a second lower fold and opposing side edges, the front and backjoined together at a the opposing side edges by way of opposing sideseals; and a gusseted region including a first gusset panel and a secondgusset panel, the gusset panels coupled together at an inner end at agusset fold and extending outwardly to a respective one of the first andsecond lower folds, the gusseted region including a first gusset sealarea joining the first gusset panel to the front, and a second gussetseal area joining the second gusset panel to the back, the first andsecond gusset seal areas being coupled together and to the opposing sideseals so as to form a substantially fluid tight cavity therebetween; thestandup pouch formed from a first ply and a second ply which are joinedtogether at the side seals and the gusset seals.
 2. The standup pouch ofclaim 1 wherein the first ply comprises a multilayer laminate includingan outer layer, a central layer and an inner layer, the layers beingjoined by way of an adhesive layer between the outer layer and thecentral layer and between the central layer and the inner layer.
 3. Thestandup pouch of claim 2 wherein the outer layer comprises a Matte OPPand the central layer comprises a MET PET layer.
 4. The standup pouch ofclaim 3 wherein the inner layer comprises PE.
 5. The standup pouch ofclaim 3 wherein the inner layer comprises a multilayer coextrusion. 6.The standup pouch of claim 5 wherein the multilayer extrusion comprisesa central layer of nylon having a PE layer on either side thereof. 7.The standup pouch of claim 6 wherein the multilayer extrusion furtherincludes a tie layer between the central layer and the PE layer oneither side of the central layer.
 8. The standup pouch of claim 2wherein the outer layer comprises PET and the central layer comprise acavitated OPP.
 9. The standup pouch of claim 8 wherein the inner layercomprises a PE.
 10. The standup pouch of claim 9 wherein the inner layercomprises a multilayer coextrusion.
 11. The standup pouch of claim 10wherein the multilayer extrusion comprises a central layer of nylonhaving a PE layer on either side thereof.
 12. The standup pouch of claim11 wherein the multilayer extrusion further includes a tie layer betweenthe central layer and the PE layer on either side of the central layer.13. A standup pouch comprising: a front having a top edge, a first lowerfold and opposing side edges, a back having a top edge, a second lowerfold and opposing side edges, the front and back joined together at athe opposing side edges by way of opposing side seals; a gusseted regionincluding a first gusset panel and a second gusset panel, the gussetpanels coupled together at an inner end at a gusset fold and extendingoutwardly to a respective one of the first and second lower folds, thegusseted region including a first gusset seal area joining the firstgusset panel to the front, and a second gusset seal area joining thesecond gusset panel to the back, the first and second gusset seal areasbeing coupled together and to the opposing side seals so as to form asubstantially fluid tight cavity therebetween; and a zipper elementassembly spaced apart from the top edge and including a first zipperelement assembly on an inside surface of the front and a second zipperelement assembly on an inside surface of the back, the zipper elementconfigured to selectively facilitate access to the cavity; the standuppouch formed from a first ply and a second ply which are joined togetherat the side seals, the gusset seals and the zipper element assembly. 14.The standup pouch of claim 13 further including a seal extending acrossthe top edge so as to seal the front to the back proximate the top edge.15. The standup pouch of claim 14 wherein the first gusseted area iscoupled to the second gusseted area at each side edge, in a positionspaced apart from the gusset fold and the first and second lower folds.16. The standup pouch of claim 15 further including at least one ripindent positioned at one of the opposing side edges between the zipperelement assembly and the top edge.
 17. The standup pouch of claim 16wherein the first ply comprises a multilayer laminate including an outerlayer, a central layer and an inner layer, the layers being joined byway of an adhesive layer between the outer layer and the central layerand between the central layer and the inner layer.
 18. The standup pouchof claim 17 wherein the outer layer comprises a Matte OPP and thecentral layer comprises a MET PET layer, and the inner layer comprisesone of a PE and a multilayer extrusion.
 19. The standup pouch of claim18 wherein the multilayer extrusion comprises a central layer of nylonhaving a PE layer on either side thereof.
 20. The standup pouch of claim19 wherein the second ply comprises PE.